NYC Mayor Skips Archbishop Installation, Sparking Catholic Backlash

Progressive Mayor Zohran Mamdani breaks decades-long tradition, drawing criticism from Catholic leaders and community.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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New York City's progressive Mayor Zohran Mamdani became the first mayor since 1939 to skip the installation ceremony of a new Catholic Archbishop, delivering a stunning snub to the city's 2.5 million Catholics just weeks into his administration. Mayor Mamdani hosted an Interfaith Breakfast the same morning as Archbishop Ronald Hicks' installation Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, but did not attend the historic ceremony, drawing outrage from Catholic leaders and the community.

Why it matters

The mayor's absence from the installation ceremony marks a deliberate break from a longstanding civic tradition that represented respect for the Archdiocese of New York, which serves a large portion of the city's population. This incident highlights potential tensions between Mamdani's progressive agenda and the need for inclusive governance, particularly when it comes to traditional religious institutions.

The details

Mayor Mamdani hosted an Interfaith Breakfast at the New York Public Library the same morning as the installation ceremony, but conspicuously omitted any mention of Archbishop Hicks' historic occasion. The mayor then attended a weather press conference rather than walking the short distance to St. Patrick's Cathedral for the installation Mass, despite being personally invited. Critics noted that Mamdani had ample time to attend given the venue's proximity to his morning event, raising questions about whether the absence reflected poor planning or deliberate avoidance.

  • On February 9, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani became the first New York City mayor since 1939 to skip the installation ceremony of a new Catholic Archbishop.
  • The installation Mass for Archbishop Ronald Hicks took place at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.

The players

Mayor Zohran Mamdani

The progressive mayor of New York City who broke a decades-long tradition by skipping the installation ceremony for the new Catholic Archbishop.

Archbishop Ronald Hicks

The 58-year-old Chicago native who became New York's 11th Archbishop and sought to work with government officials 'for the common good' despite the mayor's absence from his installation ceremony.

Bill Donohue

The president of the Catholic League who condemned Mamdani's decision as 'wrong and rude.'

Bill Cunningham

A former mayoral aide under Mayor Bloomberg who called Mamdani's absence a 'missed opportunity to serve all segments' of New York's diverse population.

Ken Frydman

A former spokesman for Mayor Giuliani who accused Mamdani of showing disdain for Catholics.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The long-term implications remain uncertain, but this early controversy tests whether Mayor Mamdani can balance his progressive agenda with the inclusive governance New York requires. His absence from such a historically significant ceremony sends a troubling message about priorities and respect for communities that form the fabric of the city. Whether Mamdani can repair this relationship or whether this signals deeper conflicts ahead will shape his administration's success in governing America's most diverse metropolis.

The takeaway

This incident highlights tensions between progressive political agendas and respect for traditional religious institutions. Conservative observers note this pattern fits a broader leftist tendency to marginalize faith communities that don't align with woke ideology, raising concerns about whether religious freedom and traditional values will receive equal consideration under Mamdani's administration.